Alex's review: Intermediate freeride skier

"I like that great surfy feeling of skiing in powder snow like most people do. On extreme days a pure rocker ski is nice but usually I prefer the combination with camber. That challenges me more and supplies versatility."

Powder machine with character

The Armada JJ 2.0 series has the same dimensions as last year. The powderskis name of the largest was AK JJ 2.0 and is now simply JJ 2.0 as well. Radius of all the JJ 2.0's are still in line with each other. The character of the ski hasn't changed either. With amongst the largest surfaces of all Armada skis, the floatation in pure powder is superb. And with good old camber under the feet, you are still challenged to put effort in and get a reward out.

From powderr to harder pack

Where full rocker skis will make you slip and slide over harder packed snow, the JJ 2.0 allows a lot more. Stiff enough to maneuver and with some effort to ride the edges. And here the camber pays back too. If you don't have the choice to go full powder every day from start to finish, a ski like the JJ 2.0 suits great. I like the stability at speed a lot and with the slightly bigger radius stability at lower speed has increased too, a bonus. For the enthousiastic intermediate+ skiers a great and doable challenge, up to the late JP Auclair's of the expert world skiers.

Armada about the JJ 2.0

"The ski that changed men’s powder riding forever returns with its trademark flotation, edging and all around faceshot-making, deep-snow-buttering fun. The JJ 2.0 embraces its heritage as one of the most-awarded, and biggest, developmental leaps in skiing history and carries it forward in 16/17.", says Armada.

DellaSausa's review: Intermediate freeride skier

"Most of all I want float in a freeride ski. And I like to be able to ski back to the lift in style. That means that the most extreme pure rocker skis are not my favorites. Versatility is key for my freeriding."

Great float and big fun

The Armada JJ 2.0 is a pure 100% off piste freeride ski. This ski is made for having fun in deep snow. It has a great float in the bottemless powder. This ski is quite maneuverable. So off-piste you can make long turns at high speed. A great feeling! And it's also possible to make shorter turns due to its radius. An all-conditions ski that is just as maneuverable as it is stable, the AK JJ is one hell of a freeride ski.

From powder to hard pack

This ski is a pure off piste ski, but sometimes you have to go on piste to get back to the lifts... There it surprised me as you can get some decent turns out of the JJ 2.0 ski. To put this ski on its edges is hard work though! But it was fun jumping on and off-piste. So playing with this ski on the edge between on and off-piste makes it really fun to go back to the lift. After that... go back to the bottemless powder as fast as you can!

Armada about the JJ 2.0

"The ski that changed men’s powder riding forever returns with its trademark flotation, edging and all around faceshot-making, deep-snow-buttering fun. The JJ 2.0 embraces its heritage as one of the most-awarded, and biggest, developmental leaps in skiing history and carries it forward in 16/17.", says Armada. True to me, great float and stable high speed in deep snow.

Heyman's review: Advanced freeride skier

"What I look for in my ultimate freeride ski is plenty of float, maneuverability and playfulness. And you should be able to lay some trenches on the slopes as well. Weight reduction is all important for easy turning in difficult circumstances."

Super playful, super float, super ski!

The Armada JJ 2.0 is among the most playful powder skis I've ever tested. Being 120mm wide underfoot this ski has enough surface to float well in the deepest powder snow you'll ever find. The big rockers in the tip and tail make for effortless turning. But that's to be expected from a ski that has an extreme shape like the JJ 2.0. What I did not expect by the looks of this ski, was its good performance on hard pack. Because of its very short effective edge, ice is not the JJ 2.0's natural habitat. But the edge hold on all other forms of hard pack is good enough to do some serious carving. And that's why the Armada JJ 2.0 is one of the best skis for freeriding within the resort bounderies. Take a skilift up, do some wonderful freeriding in powder snow, get back to the prepared slopes to do some really nice carving and arrive back at the lift in style to do it all over again. Nice!

Who is this ski for?

From ambitious intermediate skiers, who will be helped by the effortless maneuverability to set their first steps into serious freeriding. To advanced and experienced freeriders who look for great stability and float, but also desire enough edge grip for on-piste carving. To expert freeriders who just want to have fun riding such a playful powder machine. There are only a few freeride skis that suit such a wide variety of skiers. The Armada JJ 2.0 definitely is one. Don't take it too long though, because it will spoil the playfulness. The 185cm was perfect for a skier of my build (being 178cm and 85kg). Don't you worry about floatation. You'll float!!!

Armada about the JJ 2.0

"The ski that changed men’s powder riding forever returns with its trademark flotation, edging and all around faceshot-making, deep-snow-buttering fun. The JJ 2.0 embraces its heritage as one of the most-awarded, and biggest, developmental leaps in skiing history and carries it forward in 16/17.", says Armada.

Generally a nice freeride ski in this width

I am writing quick reviews for 13 new 2016-17 freeride skis that I rode at the SIA demo days. Conditions were generally soft, with 12 inches falling on the previous two days. Some face shots in the bumps on the first morning, cut up groomers to test stability, and skied off areas to check edge grip.

Groomers

I have spent considerable time on multi point (5 point sidecut) skis. They have a shorter effective edge, that can also produce a short turn radius, and a similar feel, the Armada JJ 2.0 is no different. The one exception to this is a lower upfront weight than most wider forebody skis. This is probably due to its narrower tip profile. The JJ 2.0 has adequate dampening, and short to medium radius turns are fun. This ski did feel short (in 185cm test size) at speed over cut up groomers, based on my profile. I would rate the flex as medium, for this width ski.

Bumps

With its moderate dampening, the JJ 2.0 was comfortable in soft bumps, but did not stand out in this category overall.

Powder

With my limited exposure to untracked, the Armada JJ 2.0 felt very stable in and out of the pow stashes, with good float.

Armada about the JJ 2.0

"The ski that changed men’s powder riding forever returns with its trademark flotation, edging and all around faceshot-making, deep-snow-buttering fun. The JJ 2.0 embraces its heritage as one of the most-awarded, and biggest, developmental leaps in skiing history and carries it forward in 16/17.", says Armada.

All Freeride Skis

2017-2018 Powder Ski Review

Wider skis are better! Let's check it out.

by Craig

I have selected some of the wider offerings (approximate 115mm underfoot and above) that were available for 2016-17 season, as well, the new releases coming for 2017-18. See the individual ski reviews on the Yellow Gentian site for further details on each ski, and best internet pricing on...